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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 7, 2004 · Boeing 737-500 · N929UA

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 7, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (113 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Boeing 737-500
Tail Number
N929UA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN04IA124

According to the FAA, takeoff clearance for the flight was cancelled due to a target detected at the departure end of the runway by the airport movement area safety system (AMASS) radar system. According to a written statement from the flight crew, they successfully aborted the takeoff and were able to taxi to a deicing pad. In the captain's conversation with the tower supervisor, the supervisor stated that the tower initiated the abort call because of a target indicated on their radar. The airplane sustained damage to the tires and brakes. After the abort, hundreds of targets were displayed on the tower's radar and the supervisor believed there was a computer malfunction. Postincident investigation revealed that a dual air conditioning unit failure had occurred within the Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) equipment room. Equipment room temperatures had elevated and caused the equipment failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

the inaccurate radar information due to the failure of the Airport Movement Area Surveillance radar resulting in the tower calling for the airplane to abort the takeoff, subsequently causing tire and brake damage to the airplane.

Full Narrative

On August 7, 2004, at 1712 mountain daylight time, a Boeing 737-500, N929UA, operated by United Airlines as flight 1223, sustained minor damage during an aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The scheduled domestic passenger flight was being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121. The airline transport captain, the airline transport first officer, 3 cabin crew and 108 passengers reported no injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the incident and was en route to Los Angeles, California. According to FAA, the crew of Flight 1223 was told to abort the takeoff because the Airport Movement Area Surveillance System (AMASS) radar system had detected a target at the departure end of runway 25. The crew successfully aborted the takeoff and were able to taxi to a deicing pad. The airplane waited for 90 minutes for a "brake cooling period," allowing a tire to be changed so that the airplane could taxi to the gate. In the captain's conversation with the tower supervisor, the supervisor stated that the tower initiated the abort call because of a target indicated on their radar. After the abort, hundreds of targets were displayed on the tower's radar and the supervisor believed there was a computer malfunction. According to the FAA's Denver International Airport Airway Facilities Office, postincident investigation revealed that a dual air conditioning unit failure had occurred within the Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) equipment room. Equipment room temperatures had elevated and caused the equipment failure. The temperature had not risen high enough to initiate an automatic switch to the back-up unit. The airplane sustained deflation of four main landing gear tires and damage to four main landing gear brake assemblies.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time17:12 MDT
Nearest AirportDenver International Airport (2nm ENE)
Runway25
Runway Length12000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-500
Tail NumberN929UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGeneral Electric · CFM56 · Turbofan · 20000 | General Electric · CFM56 · Turbofan · 20000
Seats114

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (113 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured113
Total113
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 42 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data